“THE DONOVAN AFFAIR”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 733, 5 August 1929, Page 15

“THE DONOVAN AFFAIR”

ALL-TALKIE FOR NEW ROXY Comedy, usually more or less neglected or at best forced in the average mystery picture, is well represented in Columbia's 100 per cent. talking thriller, "The Donovan Affair,” which is coming on Saturday to the Roxy (Queen Street) and Crystal Palace Theatres. This detective story, one of the best to reach the screen, is full of amusing incidents that develop logically as part of the action. Much of the comedy is supplied by Hank Mann and Ethel Wales as the Dr. and Mrs. Lindsey. Hank Mann is one of the original "Keystone Kops” of Mack Sennett comedies. In addition. he served in the capacity of "gag” man for such well-known comedians as Eddie Cantor, W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin. He is, therefore, well versed in the art of clowning. In “The Donovan Affair” he takes the part of a stuttering doctor. Miss Wales is his talkative wife. Her loquacity is an embarrassment to the rather retiring physician. Between them they provoke many hilarious situations. Further comedy is introduced by Fred Kelsey, who has become famous through his delineation of the "boob detective” in "The Gorilla.” In "The Donovan Affair” he is cast as Carney, a detective, who is never quite sure just what his superior. Inspector Killian, played by Jack Holt, wants or when he wants it. His blundering, blustering, clumsy manner results in one drollery after the other.